NEXT YEAR WILL MARK two decades since the
British handed Hong Kong back to China. At the time, many predicted that
the financial capital’s influence—and energy—would wane under its new
masters. But the city’s “anything goes” business climate coupled with a
Chinese economy that soared for many years have attracted a new
generation of wealthy and creative types from the mainland and
abroad—and new hotels, restaurants, shops and diversions have sprung up
to spoil, feed and entertain them. Hong Kong now faces big challenges
from China’s political and economic uncertainty but the city’s cultural
scene continues to expand, with new galleries opening to exhibit the
work of young artists.

Hong Kong never let its enviable setting,
wedged between Victoria Harbour and the mountains, hem it in. It just
built skyward. The International Commerce Centre and the International
Finance Centre, for instance (the tallest and second-tallest buildings
in the city), face each other directly across the harbor like glittering
dragons, towering over what is arguably the best of China in one
extremely compact place.

HIP ’HOOD // NoHo | Start
exploring at this eclectic ‘hood at the steps of Shin Hing Street. You
can look for artwork by Banksy, gallery hop and then browse
home-décorshops along Gough Street (I especially like Homeless). 29 Gough St.; homeless.hk

TIME TRAVEL // Hong Kong Museum of History | With its old bank and shopping street, this museum is like walking back in time. 100 Chatham Rd. South; hk.history.museum

Plus, Don’t Miss...

Liang Yi Museum
This private museum displays treasures from the Ming and Qing dynasties
as well as vintage goods from the likes of Cartier and Van Cleef &
Arpels. 181-199 Hollywood Rd.; liangyimuseum.com

Aqua Spirit has a sexy bar scene on the 30th floor with killer views of the harbor. 1 Peking Rd.; aqua.com.hk

Nicholini’s Sunday brunches at the
Conrad
hotel draw the chic set with local delicacies and all-you-can-drink Champagne. Pacific Place, 88 Queensway; conraddining.com

Hullett House Hotel
This renovated Victorian-era government building on the Kowloon
Waterfront has just 10 rooms, all of them suites, each representing a
different era in Chinese design. From about $550, 2A Canton Rd.; hulletthouse.com